Shower me with Diamonds! by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

There's an old song called Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend written by L. Robin and J. Styne. At its heart the song is a cautionary tale to young women about providing for themselves as they age. The idea is that men move on and leave you flat, or go back to their wives, or find a new model. However you slice it, diamonds will always take care of you so you need to grab them while you can.

This is the antithesis of romantic love. The idea that love and commitment are for sale and the currency is diamonds (the hardest stone) is sad. Don't you think?

My romance Diamond at Heart explores different kinds of love: familial, twisted, and the forever kind that flows from one generation to the next. 

The book starts with a murder and a terrible bargain between victim and murderer. I know, I know...I always say I don't write murder. But I did and that murder is solved decades later. 

And today Diamond at Heart is free to read. Here's a little more to whet your interest...

Someone’s watching her…and Tawny James is sick of it. There’s only one person she can turn to for help: her ex-boss, the last man on earth she wants to see again.

Private security consultant Stack Hamilton gets the call he’s wanted for months from ex-employee Tawny James. But it isn’t the “sorry I ran out on you” call he deserves. The beauty who hides her assets under the ugliest clothes he’s ever seen has a stalker and needs his help.

There’s nothing Stack won’t do for the woman he misses. Every. Single. Day. 

Together, and on fire for each other, they learn Tawny’s current problem is connected to a mob murder from the past. Possessive violence has damaged the James women for generations and Tawny is determined not to make the same mistakes with men her mother and showgirl grandmother made.

But she can’t keep her hands off Stack Hamilton and knows she won’t survive this stalking episode with her heart intact.

And Stack will do anything to keep Tawny safe. Everything but let her go again.

I am in the throes of moving this book from being a Kindle exclusive title to making it available on Apple, Nook and Kobo. (and more) This means nothing if you grab your copy now, but once the move is made the book will not be free again. (no pressure, but ...)

Bonnie Edwards has been writing all her life, starting with a poem about Santa suffering with gout. She was seven, Santa was a thousandteen years old. Delighted with writing, she went on to write family sagas, humorous contemporary romance, romantic suspense, erotic paranormal ghost romances and more. She may jump around within romance, but all her stories come with a tear, a laugh, and a happy ending. Published by Kensington Books, Harlequin Books, Carina Press, and Robinson (UK) Bonnie’s stories stretch from short stories to novellas and novels. Now, she's happy to be publishing her work herself. With over 30 titles to her credit, she has been translated into several languages and sold books worldwide. Aside from standalone romances, she has 4 ongoing romance series, Tales of Perdition, The Brantons, and Love at Christmas. Contemporary family sagas find a home in Return to Welcome. She's hard at work on a brand new series coming in summer 2021. Learn about more exciting releases and get a free romance by subscribing to her newsletter, Bonnie’s Newsy Bits

 Website BookBub Amazon Facebook Twitter

Cheers and happy reading!

Bonnie Edwards

Romancing Cupid at Birthday Time by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Chocolates have been eaten and roses have been sighed over. My birthday comes just before Valentine’s Day and by the time I was involved with the man I would marry, I begged him to NEVER get me another heart-shaped box of chocolates for my birthday. He’s always respected my wishes. It’s not that I don’t like the idea of a special day to celebrate romantic love, it’s just too close to my day, and as I get older, I sigh with relief when the world returns to normal and all the red hearts disappear. Because that means I can forget about my birthday, too. 

This year’s birthday was significant. Because of the pandemic, I was home for it…normally we’d be away in a sunny climate somewhere in the world. With browsing in stores not a reasonable option for birthday shopping, the family was stumped. What to do? What to do? One daughter ran hither and yon looking for a perfect robe…but, alas, with Christmas inventory a distant memory and robes not being a traditional Valentine’s gift, she couldn’t find one. Instead, when sandal weather approaches, we’ll go for pedicures together…distanced and masked…but it’ll be fun.

The other gifts were easier to find because of Valentine’s Day. Gorgeous flowers are everywhere. And since I’m not usually at home for my birthday, I don’t ever get luscious bouquets. Until this year! Yes, beautiful red roses from my hero and my elder daughter dropped off this fabulous display.

And now, for a gift from a major ebook retailer, which shall remain nameless. But, it's the largest corporation in the world that delivers ebooks. Lately, they've become rather odd about what romance writers can advertise and when I wanted to place an ad on their site for a sweet and sassy romance that I've had for sale since 2012, I was surprised to learn it offended community standards and would no longer be allowed in ads. This book cover was rejected for sexual content. I appealed the decision and the answer still came back a resounding NO! They did tell me what the problem was, but I'm curious to see what you think it was. 

If I want to advertise my half-priced book, I'll have to incur the expense of purchasing a new cover. So, before I do, I'd like to know your thoughts on this image and give me your best guess on what, exactly, is overtly sexual about it? I see this cover as fun & flirty, but clearly, someone will be deeply offended. Somewhere, maybe, possibly...

If you're interested in purchasing Sweet Ride for only $1.99 (so I can splurge on a new cover) then it's here for your Kindle. 

And thank you for supporting an independent author who just wants to pass along a good deal and let people who are browsing for fun romances know about it. 

And happy reading!

Bonnie Edwards

On The Upside of Change! by Nancy Fraser #RomanceGems

The first eight-and-a-half months of this year have been driven by change. Whether we wanted it or not. Change means different things to different people. For some, like myself, change isn't easy. I'm older, set in my ways, and don't like having to adjust unless it's on my own terms. Prior to 2020, if I didn't want to change, I just didn't. My life. My decision.

However, as much as we might want to deny it, the world has changed and we've had to either accept it, or become a hermit. Not that being a hermit is a far stretch for a writer. Most of us are introverts anyway.

What I've come to realize though--change can be a good thing. On the upside, change can force you out of your comfort zone, away from old habits that may, or may not, have been a good choice.

I miss not being able to shop when and where I want to shop. On the upside, I've saved a lot of money this year by not having the leisure time to make impulse purchases.

I miss not being able to go out to a restaurant with my family or friends. Sure, most restaurants are open again, but the experience isn't the same. There's no joking with your server, no lounging around afterward, having that extra coffee or drink, and just gabbing. Now, it's get in, eat, get out. On the upside, I'm eating healthier than I was before. And, I've rediscovered my love of cooking.

I miss seeing my grandchildren as often as I used to. On the upside, they've learned to become more independent. They've learned how to study properly online, and how to entertain themselves. AND, like the shorter grocery runs ... it's saved Grandma a lot of money!

As I'd mentioned in a couple of posts earlier this year, I chose to hibernate for the first three months, because I can't do the flu shot. Consequently, I've been in insolation longer than everyone else. By the end of April, I was sick of the color of the walls, my new flooring, and even the curtains I'd purchased in the fall. I wanted to call in the professionals to paint my entire condo. Unfortunately, outside contractors were forbidden except in cases of emergency. Apparently, painting over my beautiful gold and burnt orange walls was NOT considered an emergency.

On the upside of being confined, I could no longer procrastinate on my writing. It was the only thing keeping me (relatively) sane. So, I made myself a plan. A very simple, easy-to-achieve plan. Yeah...like that was going to last!

The year droned on and became increasingly busy...almost to the point of making me grateful for the confinement. Almost...but not quite. I'm still too busy, but I'm loving it. I'm having a great time promoting my first indie release, D*mn Near Perfect, that came out last month, I'm overseeing a group project that's running smoothly (so far), and...guess what...I've got ANOTHER Book Birthday tomorrow.

What I'm celebrating!

Ever since she was a teenager, Sarah Tremayne wanted one thing and one thing only—to be a park ranger at Big Bear National Park in Bear Lake, Wisconsin. Her dream was always to work along side her ranger brother, Brent, and be the first brother-sister team in department history.

Matthew Wolfe is also a ranger and Brent’s best friend. He tolerated Sarah when she was a gangly teen following him around the park like a lost puppy. However, as Sarah blossomed so did his desire.

Just as they’re exploring their mutual attraction, a tragic accident pulls them apart.

Four years have passed and Matthew is returning to Big Bear as the man in charge. Will he and Sarah be able to mend their ragged fences and rediscover what they once had? Or, will Sarah’s pain and anger force her away from Big Bear, and Matt, forever?

Here are the Universal Links so you can find it on a platform of your choice!

And, don't forget to try your hand at the Jigsaw Puzzle of my cover!

I'm pretty sure I hear my calendar calling me, so I'm out of here until next month. Until then, please stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy, and stay well read.

Nancy

SUMMER DAYS AND NIGHTS by Kathleen Lawless @kathleenlawless #romancegems

I love June.  It’s the start of summer, along with some cool celebrations like summer solstice.  Living in the Pacific Northwest, our evenings stay light enough to read outside until bedtime.  We also don’t have a lot of mosquitoes or bugs, so reading outside is definitely an option in my new chair hammock.  Every bit as comfy and relaxing as a traditional hammock, but much easier to get in and out of, as well as sporting the required drink holder. 

Years ago, I started a summer solstice ritual of taking a rose to the closest body of water (in my case the beach) where I make a wish and throw in the rose.  I am pretty sure I have had a character or two adopt this ritual as well. 

Last birthday, my three children surprised me with a gift that lasts all year long.  Each month, shortly before the new moon, I receive a single red rose to enjoy before I take it to the beach, make a wish, and toss the rose to the sea gods.  I wonder what the neighbors think of my monthly ritual with the rose.

I have two new releases this month.  UNDERTOW is an extremely hot contemporary romance.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08957VNNK

A revenge-sounds-sweet-story that takes an unexpected turn.    Here’s a sample:

CHAPTER ONE

“You don’t recognize me, do you?”

Sloan Hardt gave the red-headed beauty his sexiest smile: the tilted head, the frank blue-eyed interest, and the “come keep me warm” crooked half grin.  “Should I?”

“We went to school together.”

“What school?” Sloan challenged, convinced she was mistaken.  He would have never forgotten such a looker.

“West Bend High.”

“Apparently I owe you a drink and an apology, Miss . . ?”

He waited expectantly, having already checked out her unadorned ring finger.

She met his gaze, her eyes the color of warm sherry.  “I think I’ll keep you waiting a little longer for that.  See if it comes to you.”

“That would be cruel beyond words.  What are you drinking?”

“Champagne, of course.  What else at a wedding?”

“You’re here for a wedding?  What a coincidence.  Me too.”

“It’s no coincidence, Sloan Hardt.  We’re here for the same wedding.” Miss Red turned and sashayed away, leaving him with his mouth hanging open as she greeted his brother. 

After the redhead left, Steele went over to Sloan with a grin.  “Jeez man, pull up your jaw.  I know she looks good, but—”

“Who is she?”

“Are you kidding me?”  He cocked his thumb toward the departing redhead.  “Little Cassidy Ferrill.”

“Fatty Ferrill?”

“Be kind.  She had a serious crush on you, man.”

***

If memory served, Cassidy had never been much for crowds, so he took the hunt out onto the ship’s Promenade Deck.  Up-deck he spotted a flash of red hair shimmering in the sun and sped up his pace, careful not to spill the champagne he’d picked up on the way.  As if she sensed his pursuit, Cassidy turned and waited for him. 

“I bear champagne and an apology.  Shame on me for not knowing who you were.”

She dipped her fingers in the champagne and flicked them playfully his way.  “Double shame.”

His grin widened.  “I should be punished.”

“Spanked perhaps,” she said in a way that sent blood surging to his loins.  This was a whole different Cassidy from his memories.

“To getting reacquainted.”  He chinked the rim of his glass to hers.  “So how are we going to amuse ourselves, stuck out here at sea for days on end?”

Cassidy flashed him a half smile over the rim of her glass.  “I would think that was obvious.  We’re going to be lovers.”  

Mmmmm . . .   Sloan could definitely weave a few fantasies about Cassidy. “How do we get started?”

“Just like this.”  She plucked the empty flute from his hand, set the glasses on a table, wound her arms around his neck and pressed against him. 

Sloan’s arms encircled her with an unerring confidence, pulling her near. 

At the first touch of her, the first taste of her, the years flew back, confusing his senses.  Cassidy had been everybody’s pal and nobody’s sweetheart, a stand-in for his prom date who was home with the measles. 

***

Cassidy had waited a lifetime for this moment—step one in making Sloan fall for her—and she kept her eyes wide open for his kiss. 

It didn’t disappoint.  His lips were soft at first, firm, shaping themselves to hers in a series of tiny nibbles that promised great things to follow.  He didn’t try to force his tongue down her throat, but let her set the pace as her lips opened of their own accord, her tongue instinctively seeking his.

Cassidy felt as if the well of pent-up feelings inside of her drained into Sloan, leaving her empty.  She clutched his shoulders as her body melted into him, and then, like a miracle, she felt a surge of renewed energy.  As if he took what she offered, doubled it and refilled her wellspring. 

Yes, the boy next door had turned into one fine specimen of a man.  And he was going to fall in love with her so fast, he wouldn’t know what hit him.  Right before she dumped him on his muscular tush.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08957VNNK       

  

From the other muse, who writes sweet western historicals, comes a second-chance romance, MAIL ORDER OLIVIA on June 25^th.  This was my first mail-order bride, secret baby romance, but was such fun to write, it won't be my last.  

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086JFJ6YC

What do you like best about June?  Comment below and enter our     Rafflecopter Draw.  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/21df08a238/

Autumn...Bah! Humbug! by @BonnieEdwards

Okay, I've heard enough here about how lovely Fall is. The colours! The crisp air! The cozy nights with a lit fire.

Clearly, our other Romance Gems are not from the PNW. Fall here means darkness, gray skies and rain. Gloom with a capital G. It's worse just this bit north of the border.

It looks like this:

Okay, yes, I used this same image in a whiny post last year, too. But it still fits.

Already, we have our furnace on and the gas fireplaces take the chill out of the living room and the basement man cave. I've already put our winter weight duvet on the bed.

And, I've started talking about warmer climes to explore for our winter break. I can hardly wait.

And just to ease YOUR pain with all this talk of cold, wind and rain, I offer my sexy, fun, novella, Slow Hand, set in the warm, sultry Caribbean to not one but two lucky readers! See details below.

Every Day is Treat Day in October. To be entered in the random drawing for SLOW HAND, leave a comment with your email address written out (not as a hot link). The deadline for doing this is 2 days from now. I’ll draw the winners name on October 8 and notify the winner by email and by leaving a comment on this post.

By the way, in case you wonder why Authors give away books, it’s simple. We give away books to introduce new Readers to our writing. The best way to thank an Author who gives you a book is to post a review of the book. Just a few sentences saying why you liked the book is all that is needed! Do this, and we’ll adore you!

Click here to enter our No Tricks—Just Treats Rafflecopter today for a chance to win Amazon Gift Cards. Enter often and tell your friends! (You can also click Monthly Giveaways on the Menu Bar of the blog to see details of the current month’s Rafflecopter and to enter it.)

99 Cent Book Sale by Karen Kelley #RomanceGems

I love thrift shops, garage sales—any kind of bargain. My son and son in law mentioned Facebook Market place but it never clicked with me that it would be like a giant garage sale. I love getting a bargain. That’s why today I’m shouting out that Dangling…Participle?, a steamy romantic comedy, is on sale for 99 cents. You can’t beat a deal like that. Here’s a little more about Dangling…Participle?

Katie:

I really needed to get serious and concentrate on my writing, but the barista behind the counter at my fav coffee shop is not making it easy. The guy is drop dead gorgeous. I’m talking six-pack abs, broad chest, and oozing sex appeal. In other words, way out of my league!

Then he finds my flash drive and reads the start of my book! I want to die. I’m a nice girl. Really, I am, but I have very naughty thoughts.

When I discover he’s actually a famous writer and offers to help, how can I say no? His help means I might actually escape my demonic boss, and living with my evil twin sisters (no lie! I’m talking straight out of f**king Cinderella evil).

But just how far am I willing to let him go when I stumble over the love scenes?

Jaxson:
I’ve never seen anyone with worse fashion sense than Katie. But as she sat at one of the tables in the coffee shop, laptop open, she removed those god-awful black glasses and nibbled her bottom lip. Then she smiled and transformed before my eyes.

I want her.

Can’t have her. She’s not that type.

Then I find and read her flash drive and discover there’s a whole other side to her beneath those baggy clothes and ugly glasses. She only needs a little help. Especially with her love scenes.

I should probably keep the relationship strictly platonic.

Nope, not going to happen.

In May the Romance Gems honors Heroes and She-roes: Mothers, Soldiers, and First Responders. For a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card and Bundles of EBooks, enter our Rafflecopter draw!

                                                            Learn more HERE

 

While Researching...by Karen Kelley #RomanceGems

     I love this time of the year. The bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and yellow (probably weeds?) flowers in Texas are flourishing. Even if the yellow ones are weeds, they’re still pretty. There are blankets of them in pastures across our state. Sometimes life can get so hectic we forget to look at what’s around us. Sometimes weeds can be really pretty.
    
     There was a skunk in the backyard last night. I’m almost certain it wasn’t the flowers I was smelling. Apparently, something scared the skunk because the night air was very ‘fragrant’. I remember our Pekingese saw a skunk in the yard once and started chasing it while I was frantically screaming NO! at the top of my lungs. Of course, she didn’t listen and the ‘kitty cat’ sprayed her.

     We researched every treatment we could find to get rid of the odor. Tomato juice, oatmeal baths, a mixture of vanilla extract with a gallon of water, apple cider vinegar… and baths. LOTS of baths. No matter what we did, it was still weeks before we finally got rid of the smell.

     Sometimes a writer’s research opens up possibilities. I ended up putting a scene in, How To Seduce A Texan, where the heroine gets sprayed by a skunk. It was a lot more fun than trying to get our little dog smelling better. By the way, we had a black and white cat visiting our backyard not long after that. Our little dog decided she wouldn’t mess with the cat.

     I love taking an episode from life and using it to fit a book I’m currently working on. I bet you can find little pieces of most authors in their work. It does make me wonder about Stephen King, though.

     If you celebrate Easter, I hope you have a fantastic one. If not, I still hope you have a great weekend! Southern Comfort is still on sale for 99 cents, but I’m not sure how long I’ll leave it at that price. Rescue Me, my newest book just released and I’m super excited about it. And don’t forget to enter our Easter Egg hunt!

Read for free in KU
or Purchase Now

Still only 99 cents
or read for free in KU

 

Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt

Check out the Monthly Giveaway tab to learn how to play this month’s game.

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s egg can be found on my website:   www.authorkarenkelley.com 

Use the “Contact the Romance Gems” link on the left sidebar (toward the bottom) to send us your answer. Include the place you found it, the color of the egg, and either the author's name or date of the post.

Best of luck!                                                                              

             Karen Kelley
             www.authorkarenkelley.com

  

A Splash of Danger with your Romance? by @KariLemor #RomanceGems

Romance is such a broad category. You’ve got contemporary, historical, or futuristic. Paranormal, fantasy, erotic, suspense, rom-com, inspirational, and many others. You can put several of these together.

When I finished my first book (and the series it belonged to), I needed to figure out how to categorize the story. Contemporary, for sure. But it had a criminal element and an ex-military FBI agent.  So the story was sent out as a romantic suspense.

But after reading quite a few other suspense novels, I realized mine was nothing like the run-for-your-life-every-second-of-the-book kind. It also did not have the intense detail of third world power struggles or the inner workings of organized crime. I will readily admit I’m too lazy to do the kind of research and world building those kinds of novels require. And I hate having beloved characters die, which is unrealistic in intense suspense. My focus is always on the characters and their relationship.

Chatting with another author who writes similar to me, she called it ‘light suspense’ and I like that description.  Thus my tagline “Romance with a splash of danger” was born. I love focusing on the relationship between the hero and heroine and how they react to the conflict in their lives and between each other. But throwing in lots of danger and putting them in peril also gives me a rush. I love to add tons of angst and really hit people with emotions. One way to do that is what we (in the fan fiction community – yes, that’s where I got my start writing) call hurt/comfort.  You hurt one character (either emotionally or physically) so the other one can comfort them. I do love torturing my characters. Muahahaha! *rubs hands together maniacally*

So even though I don’t have the run-for-your-lives-every-second kind of book, I still like adding a few good battles for my characters to go through. Physical and emotional. If you like a lighter suspense novel, then please check out my first series:  Love on the Line –  where the heroes are all from the same military unit in Afghanistan. Danger is in their blood, but with the right woman by their side, they are strong enough for any new challenge.

Currently you can get all three books for under $5!! They are available at most online retailers (see website below for the links)

And FYI, I had a number of people ask for a prequel to Running Target, to show how the main characters actually met. This is in the works and will be offered to my mailing list subscribers. If you’d like to be on my list, you can sign up on my website. I rarely send more than once a month, if that, and usually only when I have new information or a sale… No spam, promise!

https://www.karilemor.com/

Also, while you’re on my site, check for the free short story (Canobie Kisses) and novella (Unstable Ground) that I’m giving away.  And I LOVE hearing from readers and will respond to all.  Send me a note letting me know if you liked one of my books!! I love talking about my books and the characters in them!

See you soon,

Kari

REVERSE WHAT? @kathleenlawless, #romancegems, #kaelysteel

Would women today really want more than one man in their life at the same time?  Likely not, but they sure seem to enjoy reading about it and writing about it. And if each hot male serves a different purpose, meets a different need…. Being adored and worshiped by more than one man actually sounds quite fun.

Reverse Harem is currently rocking the charts as a hot new sub-genre within the romance world. The notion being if one man is good, more than one must be better. 

It’s an interesting concept, so when a fellow romance author threw down the gauntlet and challenged me to try my hand, I ran with it. I chose a different pen name because the genre has a distinct following and some of my readers may not enjoy embrace the idea. Many of the books written include a relationship between two or more men in the harem, which is not what I want to write. I make it all about my heroine. She is the star. The guys are the supporting actors.

 The project proved to be more difficult than I originally thought. A lot of these books are set in the paranormal world, which makes it easier to suspend disbelief.  But I’m an in-the-moment kind of gal, so I decided to write a contemporary setting for my five hotties, whom I call the G Force Five, and the woman who desperately needs their protection, whether she knows it or not.

The resulting G Force stories are short, sexy novellas, about half the length of a normal book. I did a series of three because I needed that much room to learn about the men, to watch them grow, to let them surprise me as well as the reader, and see how they interact with the lady. And of course, because I like my heroes to suffer, I gave them lots of baggage to overcome on their journey.

 If I've succeeded in sparking your curiosity, Redeeming Jenna is free today on Amazon. Check it out.
https://www.amazon.com/Redeeming-Jenna-Force-Five-Book-ebook/dp/B07LC4ZGYP/

And don't miss out on the contest.  There are only a few more days to enter to win.

Win great prizes with #RomanceGems LUCK O' THE IRISH March #Giveaway. COMMENT & WIN has $5.00 AMZ Gift Card up for grabs every week. FRIENDS TELL FRIENDS, new giveaway, open now. Enter for chance to win a Romance Reader's T-shirt or Audiobook. Rafflecopter, awesome prizes, opens Mar. 4. Details here: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/2019/03/luck-o-irish-march-giveaway-by.html